That turquoise water and ruined cities are a real double dose. This Demre, Myra, and Kekova tour strings together Lycian rock-cut tombs and a boat trip to the Sunken City, plus time to swim where pirates once cruised. You’ll spend a long day on the move, but the mix of ancient Demre sights and the sea views is hard to beat.

Two things I really like: you get a full boat experience on Kekova Island with time on the water, and you also get Myra’s tomb country, where the scenery is part of the story. The day is built for people who want history plus something active and scenic, not just sitting on a bus.

One possible drawback to keep in mind is cost creep. The boat part is included, but St. Nicholas Church costs extra (and Myra Ancient City entrance may be extra too), so your final spend can land noticeably above the base price.

Key highlights you will actually feel

• Kekova Sunken City boat trip with swim time: see submerged ruins and get a chance to cool off
• Myra’s Lycian tombs from the 4th century BC: rock-cut necropolis with serious atmosphere
• St. Nicholas Church in Demre: a short, focused stop tied to the Santa legend
• Hotel pickup from Kemer: makes the early start less stressful
• Up to 45 people: expect a larger-group pace, not a slow, private visit

What this Demre, Myra, and Kekova day really delivers

This tour is designed like a classic Turkish Riviera day: pick up from Kemer early, hit Demre, then spend the afternoon in Myra’s ancient zone, and finish back in Kemer before dinner. You’re not just looking at one place. You’re getting sea views, archaeological ruins, and a mix of short and longer stops.

What makes it interesting is the way the sites connect. Kekova and Simena are earthquake stories you can literally see from the water. Myra is a land-based story of Lycian tombs carved into rock, plus the amphitheater and the Demre church tied to St. Nicholas. It feels like one big lesson in how geography shapes history.

If you like tours with a clear rhythm, this fits. Boat first, then the church, then Myra, with lunch in the middle. You will know what comes next, even if the day runs long.

Getting to Demre: the early pickup from Kemer matters

Pickup is offered from your hotel, typically between 7:30 and 8:30 am. The tour start time is listed as 7:30 am, and you should assume you are getting going early enough that breakfast plans may not survive the morning.

That timing matters because your main boat window is later. After you reach Demre, the Kekova Sunken City boat tour starts around 10:00 am and lasts about 2 hours. So you will have some waiting time in the overall schedule, even if the ride itself is straightforward.

The good news is the transport is air-conditioned, and the group size max is 45, so you are likely on a larger vehicle with a set route. The trade-off is you cannot expect a leisurely pace or lots of “optional” detours. You move with the plan.

One practical tip: if you are prone to getting sleepy on early starts, plan to eat a real breakfast before pickup, since breakfast is not included. Even a simple sandwich and water can make the day feel less like a long endurance test.

Kekova Sunken City boat trip: earthquake ruins and swimming time

The best-known moment on this itinerary is the Kekova Island Sunken City boat trip. Once you arrive in Demre, you’ll start boat time at about 10:00, and you’re on the water roughly 2 hours.

This is where the tour earns its keep. Kekova, as the story goes, used to be part of the mainland. Severe earthquakes later collapsed a big portion of the city, leaving the remaining part to become an island. From the boat, that history becomes visible as submerged walls and ruins along the coast.

You also get the named highlight: Simena. The remains of Simena sit beneath clear water, and the tour description specifically points out that you can see what’s left under the surface. That is the kind of “wow” that does not require fancy explanation, even if you listen to your guide’s context.

And yes, there is swimming time. The waters around Kekova are described as turquoise, and the tour also mentions the area was a favored haunt of pirates. Whether the pirate stories are literal or folklore, the practical point is the water is the star, and you should be ready to use it.

Bring what you need for water time:

• Swimwear, or at least something you can change into
• Sun protection, since you’re exposed on the boat
• Water-friendly shoes if you want extra footing, especially if you plan to step in

One more note on expectations: the itinerary mentions 4 hours associated with the boat stop, but the boat portion itself is about 2 hours. That typically means you should expect some buffer time for boarding, transfers, and getting organized, not just pure time floating.

St. Nicholas Church in Demre: short visit, extra cost

After the boat, the tour shifts to Demre’s historical center with a stop at the Church of St. Nicholas. This is scheduled for about 1 hour.

This church is famous because it is dedicated to St. Nicholas, the saintly figure connected to the legend that inspired Father Christmas. You also get the “big picture” ancient setting here, since the church stop sits near other Demre landmarks, including the amphitheater referenced in the tour overview.

The key practical detail: the entrance ticket is not included and costs $18. That means you should budget for it if you want to see the church interior rather than just pass by outside. If you are traveling on a tight total budget, this extra ticket is where the tour price starts to diverge from the headline figure.

Also plan to move efficiently during your hour. A church visit is rarely long, but it is very easy to lose 20 minutes to photos and line time. If you want the full experience, decide ahead of time what you want most from the church, then use your hour like a checklist.

Myra Ancient City: the tombs that make the landscape feel older

The final big cultural stop is Myra Ancient City, also called Myra Antik Kenti. It is not far from the church stop, and the time on site is about 2 hours, usually including guided context and some free time.

Here’s what makes Myra stand out: you’re going to Lycian rock-cut tombs, described as a necropolis and dated to the 4th century BC. These tombs carved into rock are the core attraction, and they are exactly the kind of archaeology that feels personal, even though it’s ancient.

The site name matters too. Myra is said to mean “Land of the Sun.” That may sound like a poetic explanation, but on the ground you can see why. The terrain and rock tones plus the bright Mediterranean light make the tombs feel part of the same natural stage.

You’ll also hear about the amphitheater, which is referenced in the Demre church overview. Even if you only catch parts of it during your visit window, it helps you understand how the area functioned as a lived-in city, not only a burial ground.

Entrance to Myra is listed as optional. The Ancient City Myra entrance ticket is 300 TL if you choose to pay. So you should be ready for the moment when your guide tells you whether the group is purchasing tickets and who needs to participate.

Comfort tip for this stop: wear shoes that can handle uneven stone. Rock-cut tomb areas tend to have surfaces that are not flat and predictable, and you’ll be walking between viewpoints.

Lunch, timing, and the 7 to 10 hour day reality

This is a long day, listed as 7 to 10 hours. In practice, you’re likely to feel it, because there’s an early pickup, a mid-morning boat window, plus church and tomb time, then the ride back to Kemer.

Lunch is included, with about 45 minutes for it after the church stop. That’s a reasonable lunch block, especially when you consider the schedule. Just remember drinks are not included, so keep a little cash or card flexibility for water and soft drinks.

The return to Kemer is listed at around 19:00. That’s helpful for planning dinner afterward. If you’re staying in Kemer and you want to go straight to a restaurant, you will probably be hungry once you get back, so having a dinner plan helps.

One thing you can do to make the whole day smoother is pack light essentials: water, sunscreen, and something for sun protection. Boat time in the morning plus stone walking later can add up, even if the weather looks mild at first.

Also, because this is a larger group tour (max 45), you should expect a little waiting now and then. That is normal. The value comes from what you get during the time you are out of the vehicle.

Price and value: where the $50 really lands

The advertised price is $50 per person. For that you get air-conditioned transport, lunch, and the boat trip to Sunken City Kekova with the admission ticket included for that part.

So what are you paying for, in plain terms?

• You pay for the ride, the guided pacing, and the boat access
• You also pay for the convenience of not organizing tickets and transport yourself
• You are not paying for every single museum entrance on the list

Now the extra costs. The St. Nicholas Church entrance is $18, not included. Myra entrance is optional at 300 TL. Drinks are also not included.

How should you think about value? If you plan to visit St. Nicholas anyway, the $50 is more like a transportation and boat package, with church ticket as the add-on. If you also want the Myra entrance experience, the total spend will climb further.

I think this tour is best value when you want the boat component and the tombs without the stress of planning. If you only want one of those highlights, then you might compare alternatives. But if your priority is both sea ruins and Lycian tombs, this package structure makes sense.

Group size and professionalism: the one thing to watch

The group max is 45, which usually means you will not get a private feel. You should expect the guide to lead the group, with set meeting points and scheduled departure times.

There’s also one important caution from real-world experience: in one case, a booking saw a last-minute change related to having a German guide, with the information shared the evening before. The pickup was on time, but the guide situation changed enough that the person had to rework plans.

You cannot control everything, but you can protect yourself:

• If you need a specific language, confirm it when you book, and check again closer to departure.
• Keep your contact details accurate, and watch for messages the evening before.
• Bring a bit of flexibility into your day, especially if you travel with tight connections.

This is not a deal-breaker for most people, but it’s worth taking seriously if language matters for you.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)

This fits best if you want a full, high-impact day and you like the combination of ruins plus water. You’ll enjoy it if you care about:

• Lycian history and rock-cut tombs
• Seeing the earthquake effect on Kekova from the water
• Getting a chance to swim in the turquoise area

It is also a good fit for couples and small groups who like structured touring but still want scenic breaks. The boat time and included lunch help keep the day from becoming purely logistical.

You might want to think twice if:

• You dislike long days and early pickups
• You hate adding entrance fees on top of the main price
• You are very sensitive to last-minute changes, especially language-related ones

If you are traveling with kids, note that infant seats are available on request for 15 USD, which is a helpful detail to plan around.

Should you book this Demre Myra and Kekova tour?

If your idea of a great day in this region includes Kekova Sunken City by boat plus Myra’s Lycian tombs, I would book it. The included boat trip and lunch make it easy to commit, and the schedule is built around the best parts of Demre and the coastline.

Before you hit confirm, do two quick checks:

• Decide on your budget for extra entrances, especially the $18 St. Nicholas Church ticket and the optional 300 TL Myra entrance
• Pack for water time and sun, because the swimming and open-boat feel are a big part of the experience

If you want a single day with both ancient burial rock and sea-view ruins, this is a strong choice. Just go in knowing it’s a guided group day, not a slow, private wander.

FAQ

How long is the Demre Myra Tour with Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip?

The tour runs about 7 to 10 hours. The return to Kemer is listed around 19:00, and the Kekova Sunken City boat tour is about 2 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered from your hotel, typically between 7:30 am and 8:30 am.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes air-conditioned vehicle transport, lunch, and the boat trip to Sunken City Kekova (with admission ticket included for that boat activity).

Which entrance tickets cost extra?

The Church of St. Nicholas entrance ticket is not included and costs $18. The entrance ticket for Ancient City Myra is listed as optional at 300 TL.

Can I swim on this tour?

Yes. The experience includes time to swim in the turquoise waters during the Kekova boat portion.

Is there any requirement about weather?

Yes. The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.